At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead business development and build relationships in the defence and space sectors.
- Company: Optera, a pioneering tech company focused on satellite tracking.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance-related earnings, and equity options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to influence commercial strategy.
- Why this job: Join a founding team and shape the future of space technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in defence/space with proven deal-closing experience.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
Optera | Manchester HQ, national UK coverage | Space & Defence Tech Package: Competitive base (circa £100k–£150k DOE) + performance-related earnings + equity
The mission
Satellites in orbit are set to grow six-fold in five years.
Optera builds the neuromorphic sensor tech that tracks them — Space Domain Awareness for an increasingly crowded sky.
Already selling to the UK MOD and the Royal Australian Air Force.
Backed by a £3m seed round (UKI2S, Blackfinch, Foresight, NSSIF).
Alumni of the Thales Alenia Space Accelerator.
We’re hiring our first Commercial Lead — a founding-team-level role to build Optera’s commercial engine from scratch.
The role
- Own business development end-to-end, taking it fully off the CEO’s plate.
- Turn early government funding relationships into multi-million-pound programme-of-record contracts (£0.5m–£6m+).
- Build senior relationships with prime contractors — Thales, BAE Systems, Airbus Defence & Space, Babcock, Northrop Grumman and their peers.
- Represent Optera at industry events, in government forums, and in rooms the CEO can’t be in.
- Shape commercial strategy as the business scales toward a Series A.
- What We’re Looking For
- 10+ years in and around defence/space primes, with deals you’ve personally closed — not just contributed to.
- “Uniform-adjacent,” not ex-military: credible in defence circles, but a closer, not a door-opener.
- A relationship-first operator, not a hunter — this market runs on long cycles and real partnerships.
- Comfortable building a function from nothing, with minimal support.
- Enough technical curiosity to get fluent fast in a deep-tech sensor product.
- A People team built for ambitious businesses
The old model for People & Talent doesn’t work for today's businesses. We've built a better one.
Traditionally, early-stage Founders had two options: handle People & Talent themselves, losing precious time they should be spending on product or go-to‑market, or hire a generalist, expected to cover everything from culture to recruitment to performance.
We offer a more impactful alternative: A fully flexible, fractional People & Talent team with specialist skillsets and hands‑on delivery, ready to start driving impact for your business in weeks, not months.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Commercial Lead - Space / Satellite / Semi-conductor Tech employer: Foundation Partners
Foundation Partners is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee engagement and development within a vibrant work culture. With a competitive salary range of £40,000 to £50,000 per annum, employees benefit from valuable perks and opportunities for professional growth, making it an ideal place for those passionate about shaping HR operations and supporting diverse clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Lead - Space / Satellite / Semi-conductor Tech
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Foundation Partners for a Commercial Lead - Space / Satellite / Semi-conductor Tech. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Lead - Space / Satellite / Semi-conductor Tech
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Foundation Partners, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Foundation Partners, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Foundation Partners
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Foundation Partners.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Foundation Partners. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Foundation Partners love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
